This doll was entered in the 2005 IFDC Live Competition
in the category "Mardi Gras Queens bigger than 11.5 inches"

The doll won a First Place ribbon AND the People's Choice Award!

THE PATTERNS FOR THIS COSTUME
WERE CONCEIVED AND HAND DRAFTED BY ME.
THE ENTIRE COSTUME INCLUDING THE STOCKINGS
WAS SEWN ENTIRELY BY HAND.

The photographs are very high resolution, and there are a lot of them,
so please be patient while they load.
Every photo is different and together they show the extensive detail in outfit
as well as the other modifications that were done to create the character.

The doll's vest is made of seven panels,
2 each of a black with gold stripe,
2 each of a black and gold silk Greek key design
(with green and purple satin diamond appliqués),
and 3 of a gold and black silk swirl design.
Each panel is lined in alternating colors of green and purple satin.
They are all wired their entire length and the ends of the wires are formed into curlicues.
Each panel is edged in gold braid, on both sides.

Notice how the designs in the panels are perfectly matched up?
Notice the green and purple diamond appliqués in the Greek key panels?
Those appliqués were done by hand, by me.

Each of the two collars is double faced - green on one side and purple on the other.
The edges are finished with gold cord on both sides
and there are three wires in each one enabling them to be positioned a variety of ways.
Notice how the gold cord wraps around itself to form an intricate point where the wires exit the collars?

The back of the collar is also intricately constructed.


This is what the vest looks like off the doll.

This is what the inside of the vest looks like.

This is what the upper part of the vest looks like.
Notice that the panels are stitched down around the bodice where they would be under strain,
and that the stitching is visible on the inside.
Everywhere else on the vest, the braid is glued down as the stitching would be visible.

This is what the unseen parts of the vest points look like.

The vest IS removable! Following are pictures of the outfit without the vest.

The doll's bodice and arm bands are made of the gold and black Greek key design
which matches two of the panels in the vest.
Similar to the vest, green and purple satin diamonds were appliquéd at intervals to the front of the bodice.

Here's a shot from the side.

Here's what it looks like from the back.
Notice that there are 'garters' in the back as well.
And, colored diamond inserts to match the front and sides.
As you can see, the doll can be displayed with or without the vest!

Here is a close-up of the back so you can see how the pattern in the silk matches up.

You can also glimpse the flesh-colored bodysuit underneath the bodice to which the skirt is attached.

From this angle you can see that the diamonds in the back are not attached but hang loosely like a pointed collar.
You can also see the side 'seam' and how the pattern in the silk is perfectly matched.

Under the bodice is a flesh colored bodysuit (this is not visible)
with black lace bra cups into which are inserted the removable breast forms.
The breast forms are made of Sculpey ®
Attached to this bodysuit as well are the 'garters' which hold up the stockings visible under the skirt.

The doll's skirt is made of a 3mm silk gauze
custom dyed to a very light green,
edged with lavender braid,
and then studded with hundreds of Swarovski amethyst and topaz crystals in various sizes.
The thinness of the gauze enables you to see the doll's legs....

Underneath the skirt, the doll is wearing fishnet thigh-highs and custom made shoes.
Because the doll's feet were reshaped into 'high heels',
the shoes, which have soles made of Sculpey and gold plated heels,
were molded to his feet.
Notice how the tops of the stockings match the cups in the bodysuit?

The doll's flocked hair was removed and replaced with a green wig.
The bangs on the wig were too long and too thick so they were modified slightly.

The facial features, including the face mask,
were painted with artist quality acrylic paints and sealed for protection.
The eyelashes are genuine human hair and yes, they are excessive, intentionally so!
The black silk ribbon at his neck,
ending in two Swarovski pears,
hides both his "Adam’s apple" and the edges of his falsies!

Here are some other pictures of the face so you can see the details in the handpainted mask.

The headdress is made from a piece of sheet music,
reduced to scale, painted with a gold wash, and pleated.
Next to this are three satin curled points edged in gold cord and stuffed with cotton.
They are all attached to a thin piece of gold 'leather'
which is covered with a feather that matches the ones in the cat mask.

And here, the crowning glory, his mask!

The cat mask is a very rare vintage gold plated Miriam Haskell pin.
I added the green Swarovski eyes.
Embellished with a variety of ostrich and pheasant feathers
it is attached to a gunmetal staff
wrapped with red wire which rests on a Swarovski crystal ball.

Laisser les bons temps rouler!
(Let the good times roll!)

My husband, K.C. Healy, who is the best husband any woman could have, agreed to dress as Krewe Kween Ken for the Mardi Gras Banquet on Friday night. KC's costume won the costume prize that night!

THE COSTUME HE WORE WAS MADE BY THE INCREDIBLY TALENTED EMILIA SOROKO! SHE MADE THE COSTUME BASED SOLELY ON THE DRAWING I HAD OF THE WAY THE DOLL WAS INTENDED TO LOOK AND SHE HAD NO PATTERN (the doll had not been completed yet)!
KC made his headpiece and mask.
This costumes is also for sale!

There is a seven page article on the convention in the
Nov/Dec 2005 issue of Haute Doll Magazine
which mentions this doll (on page 5).
Press here for article in Nov/Dec 2005 Haute Doll Magazine
Press here to subscribe to Haute Doll or to purchase a copy of the magazine.